Leah Smith talks with entertainment journalist and author Kristen Lopez about her upcoming book Popcorn Disabilities, which examines how film has shaped public understanding of disability. They explore why disabled women and girls rarely see themselves portrayed with depth, how “pretty disabilities” distort real experiences, and what it means to grow up without disabled role models in media.

Their conversation moves through the complicated history of little-person representation, the ongoing erasure created by CGI, and the industry’s discomfort with addressing ableism directly. They also discuss the need for disabled people behind the camera, the political moment threatening disability rights, and what authentic storytelling could look like when disabled creators and allies share real power.

00:00 – Cold open preview clips

00:35 – Welcome & introductions

01:12 – Why Kristen wrote Popcorn Disabilities

02:46 – Representation, community, and internalized narratives

04:11 – Gender, disabled women, and “pretty disabilities”

08:03 – Sexuality, safety, and erased identities

11:16 – Representation in Coming Home and Forrest Gump

15:34 – LP representation, Freaks, and CGI erasure

20:31 – Snow White, casting debates, and studio fear

23:55 – Hollywood gatekeeping and avoiding ableism

31:37 – Disability rights under threat today

35:08 – Imagining authentic representation and disabled leadership

39:05 – Self-identifying, workplace barriers, and access

41:28 – Closing reflections & resources

Kristen's Links & Upcoming Events:
Website (The Film Maven): https://thefilmmaven.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/kristenklopez

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristenklopez.bsky.social

OC Book Fair on 11/14: https://www.theocbookfair.org/

Freaks Screening at the Los Feliz 3 on 11/15:
https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/kristen-lopez-presents-freaks-11-16-25/

GADIM and Props No More links:

Props No More Documentary: https://propsnomore.orgGADIM – Global Alliance for Disability & Media: https://gadim.org